Lake District

Enjoy the tale of Beatrix Potter by visiting Hill Top. Beatrix’s 17th century farmhouse is a time-capsule of her life and is full of her favourite things. The lovely cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables.

Arrive by boat at this Gothic Revival castle on the shore of Windermere. The castle’s turrets and towers provide an atmospheric backdrop to the vast grounds with lots of space to get closer to nature, while gentle paths meander along Windermere’s shoreline. Head indoors to discover photographs taken by Beatrix Potter's father, Rupert.

Just off the M6 near Kendal, there’s plenty to explore on the 1,600-acre Sizergh estate, including wetland, woodland and historic parkland. If you’d rather relax in gardens, wander through the orchards, rock garden or stumpery – there's something new to see in every season.

Once home to William Wordsworth and Hardwicke Rawnsley, Allan Bank has a rich history, but it isn’t a traditional National Trust property. Enjoy stunning views towards Grasmere, take a gentle stroll through the garden or see if you can spot the native red squirrels. Inside you can see artist Hideyuki Sobue working on a brand new mural inspired by nature.

Meet Beatrix Potter's miniature masterpieces in Hawkshead. Get up close to Beatrix’s original artwork, illustrations and sketches in our 2022 exhibition ‘The Language of Flowers’, which explores the role of flowers in Beatrix’s life and work.

Tranquil gardens and enchanting woodland near Penrith in the heart of the Eden Valley awaits. Wander around the walled gardens, which shelter a medicinal herb garden, lily-filled pond and traditional apple orchards, or stretch your legs further to discover a working watermill in the woodland.

Discover a traditional farmhouse with 400 years of history in the Troutbeck Valley, Windermere. Wander through the colourful cottage-style garden into an atmospheric farmhouse full of quirky objects and fascinating stories. Head into the library which contains the Browne family’s well-used collection of books, including 45 that are the only remaining copies in the world.

Head inside the Cockermouth childhood home that inspired William Wordsworth to become one of the world’s best-loved poets and an inspiration for the global conservation movement. Visit the Scree exhibition exploring our relationship with the Lakeland fells, take a tour or listen to a talk, and relax in the garden that sparked William’s creativity.

Glide across Coniston Water and take in the lush, rolling scenery of the Coniston fells from the decks of Steam Yacht Gondola or hop off at Monk Coniston jetty and follow the trail to Tarn Hows. The rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht offers an unrivalled sailing experience of the Lake District.

Less than 20 minutes from the M6 and situated at the very southern tip of Lake Windermere, Fell Foot is a great, family friendly location to play, explore and relax. Sweeping lawns offer plenty of space for games and gentle walks, while easy lake access makes the park perfect to enjoy stunning views. Make a big splash by hiring a rowboat, paddleboard or kayak.

With majestic mountain views, Tarn Hows offers an accessible and peaceful walk through beautiful countryside whether looking to begin your wider Lake District adventure or explore an old favourite.

We can’t think of a better place to take to the fells, paths or lakeshores than here in the heart of the Lake District. From gentle ambles, to more challenging hikes, we've rounded up some of our favourite summer walks.

The Lake District is an incredible place to explore with your dog. From challenging fells to easy lakeside strolls, there are some amazing dog walks in the Lake District.

From bike adventures to stone skimming, lakeside walks to challenging hikes, the Lakes has everything you need for an active day out, all year round.

Summer is the perfect time to visit these special places in the Lake District as a family. Whether you want to come out and play, get closer to nature or discover some history, there's plenty to do during the school holidays.

Plan your next family day out in the Lake District. There's something for the whole family to enjoy with natural play areas to explore, '50 things' to tick off and plenty of wildlife to spot.

The Lakes may be better known for dramatic landscapes than intimate country gardens, but there are some real gems waiting to be explored. From roses and hydrangeas to wildflowers and waterlilies, there’s something new to see and smell every time you visit.

Feed your curiosity this year with new exhibitions inspired by your favourite places in the Lakes.

We love a rainy day here in the Lake District. Head inside cosy houses full of history or if you want to keep playing outside, pull on your waterproofs and wellies and plan on some splashing.

With secluded gardens, hidden beaches and historic homes off the beaten track, we’ve plenty of hidden gems where you can find a quieter place to explore and escape the crowds.

Claife Viewing Station is a rare example of a purpose-built public viewing station, dating back to the 1790s. It's one of the earliest monuments to tourism in the Lake District.

The Wordsworths weren’t the only family to leave their mark on Wordsworth House. The Ellises, who lived there in the 1930s, were almost responsible for its destruction.

Beatrix Potter loved life in the Lake District. It inspired her to create some of her most famous tales and as a prominent member of the farming community she won prizes for breeding Herdwick sheep. She also became a fierce campaigner on local conservation issues.

One of the founders of the National Trust, Hardwicke Rawnsley helped us acquire some of our first places for the nation. Discover which places he helped to save.

No two days are the same for our rangers, and the variation only adds to their love of the Lake District fells. Meet Upland Ranger, Sarah.

Whether we're swimming, cycling, horse-riding or walking the dogs, we can all help to look after the Lake District.

We're proud to care for over 20% of the Lake District National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That includes 90 farms and as much as 70% of the world’s Herdwick sheep.